UBC v UVic Weekend Match Report: UBC Host TWU This Coming Weekend
from UBC Media
VANCOUVER The UBC Thunderbirds fell in their home opener 30-14 to the University of Victoria Vikes at the Gerald McGavin UBC Rugby Centre in the first leg of the historic Wightman Boot series between the longstanding provincial rivals.
“We got absolutely run off the park,” lamented UBC head coach Curry Hitchborn moments following the setback. “They clearly prepared for the areas where we’re traditionally strong. It showed up in their set pieces where they were better, it showed up in their decision making where they were better… we got soundly beaten. There are some really outstanding players on that Vikes team who have been waiting a number of years to have this opportunity and they fully committed to it. Full credit to UVic – their coaching staff and everybody, we know we have to make up this points differential on a travel day over there (Victoria). Much like today we’ve now put undue pressure on ourselves and we’ve unfortunately put ourselves in an untenable situation.”
The Vikes came out strong in the first half, scoring a penalty kick in the seventh minute before Denver Fatt scored back-to-back tries for a 17-0 lead at the 26th minute mark. UBC made a late first-half push with a Hillyard Carson try to enter halftime down 17-7.
Victoria added a penalty kick early in the second half to stretch their lead to 20-7 and, after a Gabriel Casey try in the 70th minute, extended their cushion to 25-7. Casey picked up right where he left off just minutes later, running the length of the field before offloading for the score at 30-7 Vikes.
The ‘Birds scored a late unconverted try in the 81st minute to cut the deficit to 30-14 before the final whistle blew on the home opener.
UBC will look to bounce back against the Vikes in two weeks, as the second leg of the home and home series is slated for Saturday, October 1st at 2:30 p.m. in Victoria. The ‘Birds will need to make up ground in the points differential in order to retain the coveted Wightman Boot for the tenth straight season.
Next up for the T-Birds is a tilt with the Trinity Western Spartans on Saturday, September 24th, at 2:30 p.m. at the Gerald McGavin UBC Rugby Centre.
PARTIAL MATCH VIDEO